An investigation has been opened into accusations of “aggravated violence” and “degradation” after incidents that occurred on Sunday following the Ligue 1 match between Metz and Lorient, we learned on Wednesday from the public prosecutor of Metz.
The investigation was entrusted to the Metz police station, Yves Badorc told AFP, confirming information from Républicain Lorrain. At this stage of the investigation, no arrests have been made.
A few dozen supporters committed damage, trying to force the barriers leading to the courtyard and the underground parking lot of the stadium, allowing in particular access to the players’ locker room, members of the security services told a journalist from the AFP on site.
The public prosecutor also opened an investigation for “aggravated violence”, police officers having been injured. According to the Républicain Lorrain, supporters threw smoke bombs and barriers at the police.
A video shot and published by the Luxembourg media L’essentiel shows some of them hooded and armed with iron bars. “The police responded by throwing tear gas and firing LBDs,” the media said. Asked by AFP, FC Metz did not react immediately.
During the match, the supporters had already lit smoke bombs at the end of the first period, as in other Ligue 1 and Ligue 2 stadiums, to demand reform of the Disciplinary Commission of the Professional Football League (LFP) and notably a reduction in penalties for the use of smoke bombs.
On Friday, the National Association of Supporters (ANS) affirmed in a press release that the sanctions (closures of stands, fines, withdrawal of points) taken by this commission “did not arise from any scale and from any legitimacy”. The Moselle club occupies the play-off place (16th) in the L1 ranking.
